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I arrived late in Valencia Thursday night in my Hawaii five-o outfit, having been harassed by the Spanish man sitting next to me for the whole flight and finding my suitcase damaged on arrival. I was a tad grumpy, but I had the loveliest taxi driver to the hotel and the room and hotel are w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l (thanks again Marie) so my days finished quite happily.
My first two days here comprised packing as many tourist things as possible around preparation for the Wings For Life run. I got out for a run Friday morning, the first one for a week and I quickly realised how much better I feel and how much nicer I am when I exercise. I can hear people taking notes at this point.
I headed into the old part of the city for the day Friday and it was absolutely stunning. Every time I turned a corner there was another 16th century (or older) palace, cathedral or square in front of me. The way that these buildings have been retained and incorporated into vibrant, functioning work and living spaces is fantastic. I walked from the hotel through the city’s main park (also the route for the run on Sunday) which is crossed every couple of hundred metres with magnificent stone bridges now carrying cards and not getting a second look from the locals. It’s like living inside a history book and feels more integrated than other European cities that I have visited.
My longest stop was at the Torres de Serranos (Serrans tower) which was one of 12 gates in the wall that guarded the city from the end of the 14th century. It is a really large structure and you can walk around each level, but there are no rooms as such and no artefacts on display. It was built as a platform to fight the invading hordes from so there is a lot of space behind very thick, very high walls. The bulk of it is imposing as you climb the stone steps between levels or look down over the parapets.
Having meandered from there around squares and past the main cathedral, I visited Valencia’s oldest food markets. They had all the wonderful food that you would expect with a strong community feel to it. It felt more South Melbourne markets than tourist destination and I walked out with olives (they are amazing here), cheese, chorizo and bread that I sat and ate in yet another square overlooked by a historic building. A bit more wandering, back to the hotel for a swim and out for some great tapas and tempranillo before bed. (Peter Mitchem – the photo is squid marinated in Pedro Ximenese, yum).
Day 2 was completely different with visits to Valencia’s very new, very modern Arts and Science museum and aquarium. The architecture of the buildings is amazing and they are surrounded with vast pools and open spaces with the park and pathways running alongside them. Everything is light and space with people casually picnicking or wandering past really casually.The highlight for me was seeing the start of tomorrow’s run being set up by the Red Bull team.
I am really keyed up about tomorrow, in case you hadn’t picked that up in the last 12 months. As well as being really excited about coming here and just doing the run, I am worried that I will disappoint the people who have helped me or who chipped in to send me here and also that I will disappoint myself. Logically I realise that if I manage to put my shoes on the correct feet and get there on time I will have exceeded the expectations of most people. For myself, the standards to be applied are: less than 12km I will be crushed (for those who don’t know, last year I cried and refused to talk about the run for weeks), 12 to 13km ok, 13 to 14km very happy, 14 to 15km ecstatic, 15km plus they will be looking for a defibrillator. You can check to see whether you should be sending flowers by looking up bib number 13458 although I expect I am the only Susan Sly running.
Time for bed. I have carb loaded on paella (when in Valencia....), had a massage (more a laying on of hands compared to Jimmy’s “It doesn’t hurt that much, stop whinging and I’ll fix you” technique) and my clothes are laid out and ready to go. The run starts at 1pm here in Spain so 9pm in Melbourne and 7pm in Perth. All going well I will get close to an hour and a half in if I can keep up the pace.
Oh, one other potential danger tomorrow. Have I mentioned that the car that chases us (when it catches you that is the end of your run) is being driven by ..... wait for it .....none other than CARLOS SAINZ!!!! Before you resort to googling him, he is a Spanish grand prix driver with the Torro Rosso team. How cool would it be to get driven over while running by Carlos Sainz????? I shall try to resist the temptation to throw myself in front of car as it passes me, unless of course it is before the 12km mark in which case it is the best outcome that any of us can hope for .
- comments
Peter Mitchem Wonderful place, Valencia.... & the squad loos yummy - Pedro X is a luscious ingredient but a tad pricey here! Best wishes for the run - may you have wings :)
Bev Johnson You mad thing. Good luck Grrl. Me thinks you amazing. Love. Xxx
Chris Gillies Will be thinking of you every step of the way, you will beat your current record easily - Go Susan!!Heaps of love and hugs
Erin Good luck for tomorrow! I just made a donation to Wings for Life and checked out the course - Make it through the fields and back to the buildings and you'll do great. Carve up some farmland before you throw yourself under the car. You've got this! xxx
Rose Barrett Good Luck. Will be thinking of you tonight.
Merryn Snare Good luck for the run!
Tracey Habron I have the wings website up and your number had been entered - am not going to bed until you are finished.
Jacqueline Ford Have fun! ?
Siobhan Boyd-Squires Have a great run Susan-thinking of you as you wing your way afar. Ciara is running here in Melbourne too. Siobhan and Chris.
Jill Earnshaw Good luck tomorrow. Just enjoy the run and the life experience, particularly where you are. Food looks fabulous though it will take a bit of effort for me to loose the impact of all the Italian food I have recently enjoyed.Sitting in the RACV Club having a quick coffee before my travel group monthly meeting - just in case I need any more inspiration to travel. Enjoy tomorrow. I will imagine that smile on your face.Jill :)))
Jill Earnshaw Oops re spelling mistake. Only excuse is that I hadn't started my coffee!